For gamers excited about the prospect of streaming their favorite games from the cloud, you may want to temper your hopes. While Microsoft’s Project xCloud initiative is well into its beta, with “hundreds of thousands” of players having tried out the game streaming service for mobile and PC worldwide, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has spoken out to say that it’s still far from becoming a dominant play style.
Speaking in a VC interview for Gamelab Conference – video embedded below – Phil Spencer talked down the hype for Project xCloud and streaming in general, stating that he’s “never tried to position xCloud as a replacement for your gaming PC or for a console.”
“We're building this capability to enable you to go play the games that you want to go play, but not as a replacement to where you go play them today,” Spencer said, while adding that "I don't think the highest fidelity place to go play a game is going to be streamed from an Azure data centre or anybody's data center any time soon.”
It’s a refreshing admission from the Xbox boss, who has previously made it clear he doesn’t think the Xbox Series X and PS5 are going to be the last console generation. It’s also especially notable given the limp launch of Google Stadia in late 2019, which as a standalone service has struggled to offer anywhere near the number of titles (or drum up the same excitement) as the likes of PS Now or Xbox Game Pass.
Streaming has historically struggled to catch on, given inconsistencies in internet bandwidth across different gamers’ homes and plenty of technical hurdles – and it seems sensible for Microsoft to avoid raising gamers’ hopes too soon. Project xCloud is slowly plodding towards a more fully-fleshed launch, though – with integration into Xbox Game Pass – and it may be Microsoft’s lack of reliance on the technology that ensures it goes the full hurdle.
For years, the term "can it run Crysis?" was used as a benchmark for whether a gaming PC was beastly enough to handle the game's incredibly gorgeous, cutting-edge graphics.
So when developer Crytek announced that it would be releasing a remastered version of the first Crysis game, fans immediately started readying their graphics cards in anticipation.
Unfortunately, that enthusiasm has now come to a screeching halt, with a leaked trailer for Crysis Remastered revealing that the game doesn't look all that different from the version that's been available for the last 13 years.
"Looks like original Crysis but with the lowest settings," reads one user's comment under the video on YouTube, while several other users were quick to point out that a modded version of the original game already looks far better than what is shown in the trailer.
While it was reported just days ago that Crysis Remastered might be coming sooner than you think, the negative outcry from fans has now caused the Germany-based studio to not only confirm that the underwhelming trailer is real, but to also delay the game's release by a few weeks.
In its official statement, Crytek noted that it's "seen all the reactions – the good and the bad – and we're listening," further stating that it's "still working on a number of things in the game, as well as the storefront".
It continued, "This extra time until release will allow us to get Crysis Remastered up to the PC- and console-breaking standard that you've come to expect from Crysis games."
Admittedly, we have to wonder if a few extra weeks of polish will be enough to bring the game up to snuff – particularly with a Nintendo Switch port of the game also set to release at the same time.
You can check out Crytek's full statement below.
We would like to share an important update with you all! pic.twitter.com/ylu0OisDf3July 1, 2020
Although software companies routinely issue patches to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited, customers often forget to install them and cybercriminals are well aware of this.
Menlo labs recently observed a number of attacks in which cybercriminals continue to exploit an old vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2017-11882, in Microsoft Office despite the fact that it was patched more than two years ago. These attacks targeted businesses in the real estate, entertainment and banking industries in both Hong Kong and North America.
The vulnerability used in the attacks exists in Microsoft's Equation Editor in Office that enables users to embed mathematical equations or formulas inside any office document.
According to a recent report from the FBI, CVE-2017-11882 is one of the top 10 vulnerabilities that is routinely exploited by cybercriminals.
Leveraging older vulnerabilities
The first attack observed by Menlo labs used an RTF file to trigger CVE-2017-1182 in Microsoft Office. If a user opens the Word document found on on the site loginto.me, the vulnerability is triggered an an HTTP request to a bit.ly site is made. The bit.ly site then redirects to Femto uploader which downloads an executable. Once the executable is opened on an endpoint, another HTTP request to paste.ee is made where the attacker's malicious payload is downloaded from. The payload contains the NetWire remote access trojan (RAT) which is used to steal credentials and payment card data.
The second attack Menlo labs spotted in the wild was hosted on dropsend.com which looks like a popular file sharing website. This website was used to host a malicious Microsoft Excel file that makes a HTTP request to download the Agent Tesla malware when opened. Agent Tesla is a RAT that is capable of stealing credentials, taking screenshots and downloading additional files.
The final attack exploiting CVE-2017-1182 used the lure of Authorization as its filename and the file itself was hosted on OneDrive. When a user opens the malicious Excel file, it downloads and executable containing either the Houdini or H-Worm RAT.
In a blog post, Director of Security Research at Menlo Labs, Vinay Pidathala provided further insight on the firm's discovery, saying:
“The fact that CVE-2017-11882 is continuing to be exploited speaks not only to the reliability of the exploit, but to the fact that there are companies out there that are still using outdated software. Patching applications and operating systems to protect them against security issues is critical, but the shortage of cybersecurity professionals combined with the ever changing enterprise environment makes it harder for enterprises to put a proper patch management process in place.”
If you've already found a great PS4 deal, now is the time to find a super cheap PS4 controller price so you always have an extra DualShock 4 controller handy. This is crucial if you plan on long gaming sessions and need a backup controller that's charged up and ready. Plus, you always want to have one available for a little local multiplayer action.
Plus, as we're coming to the end of the PS4's sales cycle, many controllers are likely to be a little worse for wear. Reinvigorate your gaming with a new cheap PS4 controller and you'll be amazed by how spongey your buttons and triggers have become over the years.
The PlayStation and the DualShock controller stories are intertwined, with the controller being around since almost the beginning of the PlayStation brand. Instead of constantly fiddling with the design and features of the DualShock, Sony has kept much of the dual analog design the same. Now, we're treated to an iconic controller that's achieved near perfection.
To help you get the most out of your PlayStation, we've rounded up the best cheap PS4 controller prices right here. We've picked out the best deals for the various different colors too.
Now that we're months away from a PS5 price announcement, these cheap PS4 controllers are hitting lower than ever prices. That makes now a great time to pick up an extra gamepad before PS5 pre-orders start rolling in.
One of the highlights of the DualShock family is that a wide variety of awesome colors available. We've curated a list of the more tempting DualShock 4 deals for the various color variations below too. Naturally, these cheap PS4 controller prices are correct at time of writing.
More of the best DualShock 4 prices - USA
The following cheap PS4 controllers are slightly rarer than most, or have been discontinued. You'll still find plenty of them in the wild, but you may well be paying slightly more for them new (especially in the case of the Walmart exclusive Blue Crystal model).
The Urban Camo DualShock 4 and the Crysal PS4 controller are slightly older than other models listed on this page. That said, they've got their own cult following, so if you just have to have them in your collection, be prepared to pay a slightly premium on these particular Dualshocks.
If you're looking for extra ways to jazz up your new PS4 controller, you might want to take a look at this brand new Back Button Attachment. The small device clips onto the back of your controller and provides access to two new mappable buttons for extra functionality in your games. So far, the new add-on has proven incredibly popular, especially across the US. That means if you spot a price below that you like, grab it - it may well slip back out of stock soon.
What's the difference between the original and new V2 DualShock 4 controller?
If you've seen mention of a 'New' or 'V2' DualShock 4 controller while looking for a new pad, you may be scratching your head. What separates these two controllers?
Here's the difference: the new/V2 DualShock 4 was released alongside the PS4 Slim and features a few improvements over the original.
Some listings are a bit vague, but the clearest visual indicator to look out for is the new light bar on the DualShock's 4 trackpad. This thin slit wasn't on the original, so just look for the dimly illuminated blue line on the product listing's image gallery. The original blue/red/gold controllers had black plastic on the back half of the controller, but the V2 versions feature matching colors, albeit a shade darker.
Other improvements include USB functionality, allowing gamers to plug the controller in for lag-free gaming (it simply charged the original), which could give you the edge in online shooters or games like Street Fighter V. You'll also be able to use this enhanced connectivity to use the DualShock 4 on a PC without paying for the Bluetooth adapter. The rubber on the analogues has been improved (again) to prevent it wearing away so much too.
We’ve known for a while that Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is due to release this holiday season (between October and December for all you non-Americans), but it seems that wasn’t always the case.
According to Thurrot’s Brad Sams, who is a known industry insider when it comes to Microsoft news, the original release date for the Xbox Series X was reportedly set for late August, but was ultimately scuppered by the Covid-19 outbreak.
If Microsoft had released the Xbox Series X during the summer, it would have been a markedly different approach for the company and console releases in general. Historically, console hardware tends to release during November, although Nintendo did buck that trend recently by releasing the Nintendo Switch in March.
Covid-19 didn’t just affect the Xbox Series X launch, though. Microsoft’s heavily rumored Xbox Series S (or Project Lockhart) has also been impacted by the pandemic, and was due to release after the Xbox Series X in either October or November. The Xbox Series S will be a cheaper and less powerful version of the Xbox Series X, but Microsoft has yet to confirm its existence despite numerous leaks.
Change of plan
It would have been interesting to see whether getting the march on Sony’s PS5 would have paid off for Microsoft, even if it was just a few months head start. Incidentally, the timing of the Xbox Series S launch suggests Microsoft wanted to combat Sony’s new console with a cheaper model for consumers to consider.
But alas, as Covid-19 continues to out stay its welcome, we won’t be playing the Xbox Series X in August. Instead, we’ll have to wait patiently for Microsoft’s next-gen console and hope that plans don't change again. We should hopefully find out more Xbox Series X information during the Xbox July event where Microsoft will show off first-party titles such as Halo Infinite and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
If you've been looking to stream games to your phone using Google Stadia and the Stadia Controller up until now, you've had to pair your devices using a charging cable. Not any more!
The Google Stadia Controller now finally works wirelessly with Android phones, meaning that you can play your titles on the go without the need for a tethering cable between the two.
You'll need the latest version of the Stadia mobile app for this to work, and you'll have to make sure both controller and handset are on the same Wi-Fi connection. But once that's done, you'll be streaming away wirelessly.
Project xCloud: Microsoft's cloud streaming service explained
Stadia improvements
It's a handy update, not least of all because it frees your phone's charging port during play, letting you hook it up to a wall for extended sessions.
Google Stadia is slowly improving as a service, with the breadth of its gaming catalogue growing, its Pro subscription offering improving, and its hardware getting the features that were promised at launch. As well as a wider array of Android phones being fully supported, all new-ish Android handsets can use Stadia in an 'experimental' mode, while the controller's Google Assistant button finally can be used – if not in the 'get-gaming-tips' way that was initially teased.
European retailers are no longer allowed to sell digital download codes for Nintendo first-party titles from today (July 1), which means consumers are at the mercy of the Nintendo Switch eShop’s prices if they want to buy Nintendo’s games digitally.
Previously, retailers could sell digital download codes of first-party Nintendo games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Odyssey, which could then be redeemed on the Nintendo eShop. These digital download codes would often be cheaper than buying a game directly through the Nintendo eShop, which tend to be full price bar the odd 30% discount during a sale.
Historically, Nintendo has been reluctant to discount its games amid fears it reduces the value of its intellectual properties. Similar to Disney's model, which rarely sells its DVDs and Blu-Ray discs for cheap, the company understands that gamers can't find these titles anywhere else, so a price cut is often seen as detrimental long term.
The controversial move was revealed by UK online retailer ShopTo.net, who revealed they were no longer able to offer/sell digital download codes of Nintendo games.
Hi, just to let everyone know, due to a Nintendo decision for all EMEA territories, as from Tomorrow 30/06/20 at 23:00 we are no longer able to offer/sell Nintendo digital full games.We will however, be continuing to offer/sell online membership and add ons, so, with this in… pic.twitter.com/11hrqvEU1mJune 29, 2020
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So why is Nintendo making it more expensive to buy games digitally in Europe? In a statement provided to Nintendo Life, Nintendo said it has ended digital download code sales for its “own-published software” after “careful examination of the evolving European marketplace in recent years.”
But what about if you buy physical Nintendo Switch games? Well, they’ll still be a lot cheaper than buying digitally, but frustratingly, Nintendo first-party games refuse to drop in price, despite often being many years old. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still £47.99 on Amazon, for example, which was released in 2007.
Thankfully, Nintendo's decision only applies to first-party titles and won't affect games by third-party publishers, Nintendo eShop funds, Nintendo Switch Online memberships, and DLC add-on content.
